You had to be there … She came into the home with her arms crossed, defiantly gloomy, intimidatingly unfriendly. In my role, I mostly watch our residents from a distance and from that perspective, her manner made me wonder why she even bothered coming to Mercy Ministries, and whether she would stay. Residents come of their own free will and are free to go if they choose to.
Mercy Ministries is blessed with volunteer advocates who represent the ministry out of passion, that sometimes comes from personal experience. One such volunteer is Johanne Starr, our advocate on the move this month, her story of how she got involved with Mercy and the joy she gets from being an advocate provides another view of people working behind the scenes to see lives transformed and hope restored.
Johanne's experience of her daughter's struggles makes her a powerful advocate for Mercy
My daughter had long struggled with eating disorders, anxiety, depression and self harm. I had desperately tried to seek help for her for many years with little success.
In 2003 John and Helen Burns had invited Nancy Alcorn to speak at their LifeWomen Conference to launch and bring the vision of Mercy Ministries to Canada. My daughter and I were at the conference and were introduced to Nancy Alcorn and her team personally.
My daughter was 15 years old and had just found out she was pregnant. Nancy – after hearing her story and history – was full of compassion and offered her a place in one of her homes immediately. Unfortunately my daughter was too anxious to be so far away from home at the time as she suffered from separation anxiety. I then realized on a personal level how critical it was to have a home nearby to reach out to desperate women in need. Fortunately, my daughter kept the baby and my grandson Sean is now eight years old.
Since that time I have watched my daughter continue to struggle with eating disorders. In 2006 she was the victim of assault and rape as a result of a break-in at our home from a perpetrator who had apparently been stalking her. Women in our community need MERCY!
For many years I cried out to the Lord as I watched all three of my daughters struggle and deal with many heart breaking issues. The scripture I would be lead to, described a home of safety, hope, compassion and love. A lighthouse for the hurting and brokenhearted!
Isaiah 32: 16-18
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness
And righteousness remain in the fruitful field
The work of righteousness will be peace
And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
My people will dwell in peaceful habitation.
In secure dwellings and in quiet resting places.
Mercy is a safe place that unconditionally loves each woman as she works through her issues. They are committed to provide services to allow them to recognize their self-worth and prepare them to reach their full potential. It brings a hope and understanding that many have never had or felt before.
Advocacy brings Joy and Healing
As an Advocate and volunteer for Mercy Ministries it is incredibly heartwarming to hear the giggles and laughter coming from the girls as they do their fitness program with Megan[fitness director] or fellowship with one another. Megan’s smile and uplifting, encouraging words can help you through any circumstance. These young women have endured much pain and heartache! How amazing is it that they can come to a place to be free to laugh and giggle!
I had the privilege of working alongside Musu [director of marketing and development] at a conference. As I shared from my brokenness as a mother I felt healing touch my heart and soul. The staff and women at Mercy are amazing as they yield their lives to bring healing to others and to make a difference. Nicola, the Executive Director, is an amazing woman of God! She is full of love, compassion, insight and understanding! You are a changed person by just knowing her. She has a powerful anointing on her life to see lives change.
I have a passion to see women set free! It is an honor to promote Mercy Ministries to our community!
By Nicola Bartel
Musu Taylor-Lewis
Musu Taylor-Lewis joined our Mercy staff team in late February to cover a Maternity post for Sarah Bessey in Marketing and Communications.
Four months have passed and we feel so privileged to have her on our team. She is wise, winsome and has blended into the team with great ease. Musu brings extensive development experience to the table and has been in ministry leadership for years. Her heart is to see Christian ministries well represented and is leading the charge in ensuring we are moving forward with great presence both in our community and across our nation.
Currently Musu is leading a treasure builder matching campaign to elevate our monthly funds to enable us to reach our 20 bed capacity. She loves our young women who need Mercy and has experienced first hand the life transforming power of Christ in their lives while here in the program.
Knowing the great need that exists she is “pressing on toward the goal that is set before her” by planning our one year celebration and beyond to an exciting Gala in the fall!
“My motivation to help get all 20 beds filled comes from the faces of the young women in the home. In the four months I have been at Mercy I have already seen transformation that comes from the combination of program excellence and unapologetic gospel emphasis at Mercy. The mission to provide young women with an opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love are not just words on a page but is put into practice with every counseling session, discipline, worship time, teaching and fitness class.
Mercy is a great representative of Christ’s church in our community and it is a privilege for me to be able to contribute to this work. I am convinced that the more people know how Mercy Ministries touches lives the more open they will be to investing in this life changing ministry.”
Thank you Musu for putting your faith in action, for being hands on and humble in heart! We love having you on the team!
